Heat and Flow Analysis Inside a Parallel-Flow Heat Exchanger

In the present study, the heat and flow characteristics of a parallel-flow heat exchanger are numerically analyzed by using three-dimensional turbulent modeling. Heat transfer rate and pressure drop are evaluated using the concept of the efficiency index by varying the locations, the shapes and angles of inlet/outlet, and the protrusion height of flat tube. It is found that negative angle of the inlet improves the heat transfer rate and pressure drop. Results show that the locations of the inlet and outlet should be toward the right side and the left side to the reference model, respectively, in order to enhance the heat transfer rate and pressure drop. Increasing the height of the lower header causes pressure drop to decrease and yields the good flow characteristics. The lower protrusion height of flat tube shows the improvement of the heat transfer rate and pressure drop. The heat transfer rate is greatly affected by the parameters of outlet side such as the location and angle of the outlet. However, the pressure drop is influenced by the parameters of inlet side such as the location and angle of inlet and the height of the header.